You Are What You Eat: Broccoli sprouts

Each week, we'll be offering original recipes and unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

Yes, you know that broccoli is good for you, and you have taken steps to make sure your family is eating enough, even if you have to disguise it.

But broccoli sprouts, too? Don't they offer the same nutrition as broccoli?

Actually, they do, and far, far more. Not only are broccoli sprouts high in sulphoraphane, a cancer-fighting compound (we are talking up to 50 times more than full-grown broccoli), but they have also been shown in studies to cut the risk of cardiovascular disease.

How will you ever figure out ways to include more broccoli sprouts in your diet? Your family is still giving you dirty looks at the vast amount of broccoli that you serve them.


You can easily stir or sprinkle sprouts into anything yummy:

• Top a baked potato with cheese from raw milk from grass-fed cows and broccoli sprouts.
• Stir sprouts into soups ans stews just before serving.
• Blend into your favorite dips and hummus; they will never know the sprouts are there!
• Use instead of lettuce on sandwiches and in wraps.
• Add to salads.
• Fold into omelets at the end of the cooking time.

Need some specific recipes for sandwiches and wraps? Try the BroccoSprouts site; you'll find a Southwestern BroccoSprouts Wrap, a BroccoSprouts Veggie Wrap and a Greengrocer Sandwich, just to name a few. There are great recipes for salads there, too.

Need more variety in your broccoli sprout recipe file?

• Vegetable Pizza -- Now who wouldn't like pizza?
• Smoked Salmon Focaccia Wedges -- It's got cheese!
• Broccoli Sprout - Tofu Spread on Toast -- Miso and tahini give this recipe some spunk
• Broccoli Sprout and Arugula Salad with Blackberries, Papaya and Almond -- Oh my, can I pick 'em or what?

Care to give sprouting your own broccoli a try? You can purchase a complete kit here. I've done it and it is easy, quick and economical.

What are your favorite ways to eat broccoli sprouts? What is your experience with home sprouting?